"There is Something About Mary's Song..."
A Catholic Priest and a Protestant pastor were said to have stopped to get a tour of each other's churches, after they had toured both they spoke about their experiences. The protestant pastor made this remark about all the depictions of Mary, the mother of Jesus, “I think your church just gives Mary too much honor” he replied, “well”, responded the priest, “I don't think your church gives doesn't give her enough.” The priest may have a valid point. The scriptures are very clear as is the testimony of the early church, that Mary is a very important person in the life of Jesus and in the life of the church, as in fact were many women. I have often emphasized in my preaching that the Bible see all genders in leadership positions in the life of the church. Sharing in leadership is biblical, it was the practice of the early church (Acts 8:26-40, Romans 16:1-2, Acts 2:17-18 )
Scholar and author Ally Kateusz (Katooze), in the book “Mary and Early Christian Women: Hidden Leadership”, argues that for the first 550 years of Christian history, all Christian artifacts depict woman leading in worship as priests and deacons, in frescos depicting worship. You have to go to the 8th century before you find one that shows only men. There are two which are the earliest, the first is a beautiful ivory box that was found amongst the ruins of a Roman era church, buried, showing a liturgical scene from the Old St Peter's Basilica. At the table, people of both genders are depicted serving at the table/altar. The second comes from a Sarcophagus, it depicts another famous church, the Second Hagia Sophia in Constantinople, it shows two people leading in worship, one is clearly a man, the other a woman, and a young boy holding up a bible. (purchase her book at the link below)
Dr Mark Miravalle, a professor of theology at Franciscan University, also tells us in an article that he wrote titled, “Meet Mary, the Blessed Virgin, the Bible and the Early Church”, that while the early church knew that Jesus was God and alone divine in nature, they also acknowledged that Mary held a special place in the hearts of early Christians. This was seen in the tombs of many Christians, often, as early as the first Century Mary was depicted along with Jesus, at prayer, or at the annunciation and at the Nativity and birth of Jesus. They understood Mary as someone that could do what any good mother would do, guide them and point them to her son, Jesus. It was after all Mary's role to be the mother of Jesus.
We are fortunately to have some pictures of that. Jesus first miracle performed was an event that Mary was present for. The gospel of John points out, that “the mother of Jesus was there.” Also, it was Mary, who was bold enough to go to Jesus, Jesus was probably around 30 years old. Mary is that tough Mom that says to her son, “they have no wine.” In what tone do you think she told him this? Jesus response, “woman, what does this have to do with us.” “Mom, it ain't my problem”, she still doesn't relent. Jesus said, “My hour had not yet come”, Mary said, “oh yes it has buddy.” She goes to the servants, and instructs them to do whatever Jesus tells them to, so it sounds like they must approach Jesus. Its hard for me to read this and not see Mary as the mom that is concerned with her son and the work he had been sent to do. Guiding him, maybe even gently pushing him out of the nest.
In our text however, Mary is still quite young. She was also likely quite poor, and vulnerable, living under the oppression of the Romans. There were great injustices committed against the Jews, the poor, unmarried women, all categories that would have included Mary. Yet Mary sings this wonderful song that is so full of joy and so hopeful. Mary is visited by an angel and is given an incredible announcement, one that she willingly accepts. In the very ordinary world of her day, something extraordinary happens, she would be the mother of the awaited Messiah, the “Son of the Most High” The sacred and the holy would come into her time and space, so that all humanity might be reconciled to God. His name would be Jesus, and he would fulfill all the promises that were made to the ancestors.
So Mary goes to visit her relative, she wants to share this news with those in her life. When she arrives, something else unexpected happens. When Elizabeth greets Mary, the child (John the Forerunner) leaped in her womb. God's miraculous working in our lives often begins with a kick. When she heard Mary's greeting, the child and Elizabeth both filled with the Holy Spirit, results in Elizabeth declaring the blessing, “Blessed are you among women!” Before Mary even tells her the story. She has a confirmation of God's work. Just like the two babies that will grow in the womb and be born, so too in our lives, our faith grows, nurtured by the Holy Spirit, our faith also grows. Our faith might be small, it might be tiny, it might be but a kick, but think about how often this is how our faith starts out. I think back to my friends, family, mentors, all those that have lovingly kicked, nudged and encouraged my spiritual life. Those that grew along side of me during my own life. They encouraged me. Elizabeth likely encouraged Mary as well.
Mary needed that encouragement. Other's might look at Mary as poor, Jewish, and young with suspicion or disdain or they might not look at her at all. Her opinion might not matter in the room. This was not the case with Elizabeth and it was also not so with God. In Mary's Song, she writes beautiful lyrics that can encourage us today. One things that caught my eye was her gratitude at God's love and care. God “has looked with favor on the lowliness of his servant.” Mary acknowledges her humble status before God but is overwhelmed by God's grace. The word here means to “gaze with attentiveness and care.” God had looked on her with care. Mary aware of the grace that she has been given by God unleashes her heart and break out into song. Her song begins with Mary sharing her praise, her joy, from the deepest part of her self. But here there is a word of warning also.
Mary goes on to say and sing some very radical things, “He has scattered the proud and brought down the powerful from their thrones, and lifted up the lowly, he has filled the hungry with good things, and sent the rich away empty.” Dietrich Bonhoeffer, Luther pastor who resisted the Nazi's during Hitler's rule in Germany, has powerful words that accurately describe Mary's Song. He writes,
“For those who are great and powerful in this world, there are two places where their courage fails them, which terrify them to the very depth of their souls, and which they dearly avoid. These are the manger and the cross Jesus Christ. No one who holds power dares to come near the manger; King Herod also did not dare. For here thrones begin to sway; the powerful fall down, and those who are high are brought low, because God is here with the lowly. Here the rich comes to naught, because God is here with the poor and those who hunger. God gives there the hungry plenty to eat, but sends the rich and well satisfied away empty. Before the maidservant Mary, before Christ,'s manger, before God among the lowly, the strong find themselves falling; here they have no rights, no hope but instead find judgement.”
Mary likely knew what the scriptures taught and what the prophets proclaimed. That God always has a special care and concern for those that are poor, disadvantaged, marginalized, or discriminated against. It's not that God cares for some more than others, God loves everyone, but it is because God loves us all that God has special attention to those that are in positions of need. God is indeed biased...for the poor and the oppressed. God often spoke through the prophets warning us as people not to take advantage of people in positions of weakness. Isaiah 10:1-2, “Woe to those that make unjust laws, to those who issue oppressive decrees, to deprive the poor of their rights, and withhold justice from the oppressed of my people making widows their prey and robbing homeless children”.
Mary's song is a Christmas Carol. Here we hear Mary speaking to us. You can think of this as a sermon, Mary is preaching to us, only its a beautiful song. So its much better than just a sermon. We ignore Mary to our peril. Mary like the ghosts of Christmas come to us, to instruct us. Mary song is glorious hope. It is a song that recognizes that God is on the side of the poor, that God's desire that is that we inhabit a world that is filled with the goodness of God, where fairness and justice lift people out of poverty and brings about the human potential of every person not just a chosen few. That God has fulfilled God's promise to reconcile all things together in heaven and in earth. That is why Mary connects with her ancestors, “God's mercy is from generation to generation” Mary intones.
Mary is reminding us that the same God that was with the ancestors, that was with David when he went through his struggles in life, that was with Esther when she faced the extermination of her people, that healed Naaman the leper (who wasn't Jewish), or sent the message of repentance to Ninevah, is the same God this God is still at work. This God is still the same God that comes into our lives. That greets us in the dark night of our own hopeless existence and says to us, “Do not be afraid, I bring good tidings of great joy.” The question is how do we receive this message when we hear it today? Do we receive it in the same spirit as Mary, with the hope and possibilities that jump off the page?
THE MAGNIFICAT
My soul glorifies the Lord.
My spirit rejoices in God my saviour;
He looks on his servant in her lowliness;
Hence forth all generations will call me blessed.
The Almighty works marvels for me.
Holy is his name.
His mercy is from age to age,
on those who fear him.
He puts forth his arm in strength,
and scatters the proud-hearted.
He casts the mighty from their thrones
and raises the lowly.
He fills the hungry with good things,
sends the rich away empty.
he protects Israel, his servant,
remembering his mercy,
the mercy He promised to our fathers,
to Abraham and his children for ever.
